Artikel XIV

1. The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as a depositary shall call a meeting of the Contracting Parties not later than three months after the entry into force of this Convention to decide on organisational matters.
2. The Contracting Parties shall designate a competent Organisation existing at the time of that meeting to be responsible for Secretariat duties in relation to this Convention. Any Party to this Convention not being a member of this Organisation shall make an appropriate contribution to the expenses incurred by the Organisation in performing these duties.
3. The Secretariat duties of the Organisation shall include:
(a) the convening of consultative meetings of the Contracting Parties not less frequently than once every two years and of special meetings of the Parties at any time on the request of two-thirds of the Parties;
(b) preparing and assisting, in consultation with the Contracting Parties and appropriate International Organisations, in the development and implementation of procedures referred to in sub-paragraph (4) (e) of this Article;
(c) considering enquiries by and information from the Contracting Parties, consulting with them and with the appropriate International Organisations, and providing recommendations to the Parties on questions related to, but not specifically covered by the Convention;
(d) conveying to the Parties concerned all notifications received by the Organisation in accordance with Articles IV (3), V (1) and (2), VI (4), XV, XX and XXI.
Prior to the designation of the Organisation these functions shall, as necessary, be performed by the depositary, who for this purpose shall be the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
4. Consultative or special meetings of the Contracting Parties shall keep under continuing review the implementation of this Convention and may, inter alia:
(a) review and adopt amendments to this Convention and its Annexes in accordance with Article XV;
(b) invite the appropriate scientific body or bodies to collaborate with and to advise the Parties or the Organisation on any scientific or technical aspect relevant to this Convention, including particularly the content of the Annexes;
(c) receive and consider reports made pursuant to Article VI (4);
(d) promote co-operation with and between regional organisations concerned with the prevention of marine pollution;
(e) develop or adopt, in consultation with appropriate International Organisations, procedures referred to in Article V (2), including basic criteria for determining exceptional and emergency situations, and procedures for consultative advice and the safe disposal of matter in such circumstances, including the designation of appropriate dumping areas, and recommend accordingly;
(f) consider any Additional action that may be required.
5. The Contracting Parties at their first consultative meeting shall establish rules of procedure as necessary.